Análise da percepção baseada no gênero sobre o amarelecimento letal do coqueiro (ALC) e seu efeito sócioeconômico nos meios de subsistência das comunidades rurais na Zambézia

Abstract

Lethal Yellowing Disease of Coconut (CLY) poses a growing threat to coconut production in Mozambique, with significant social and economic impacts, particularly in rural communities. This study analyzed gendered perceptions of CLY and its socioeconomic effects in the districts of Maganja da Costa and Quelimane, in Zambézia Province, using a mixed-methods approach. Thirteen gender-segmented focus groups were conducted, questionnaires were administered to 140 producers (57.86% of whom were women), and eleven key informant interviews were carried out. Most farmers have a low level of education: 37.23% have no formal education, and 88.57% rely exclusively on subsistence agriculture. The findings show that although producers recognize essential coconut cultivation practices, such as fertilization, irrigation, and soil preparation, the technical application of these practices is poor, limited by a lack of knowledge and resources. The absence of technical assistance further exacerbates this situation. Regarding knowledge of CLY, few farmers identify the phytoplasma as the causal agent of the disease, attributing it instead to factors such as climate change and pests like the Oryctes beetle, revealing widespread confusion between the causes and symptoms of CLY. The spread of CLY has led to devastating losses: 54% of producers lost all their coconut trees, while 30% saw their production drop to fewer than 25 trees. This situation has caused a sharp decline in income generation and employment opportunities, with the hiring of labor falling from 62% to just 22%. These findings highlight not only the vulnerability of local production systems but also the urgent need for technical and policy interventions to mitigate the impacts of CLY